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Interview Questions To Prep For

Does the thought of going on a job interview cause your palms to sweat
and your body to break out in hives? Stop itching; you're not alone. The
vast majority of job seekers admit to emotions ranging from mild uneasiness
to downright panic leading up to their interviews. The good news is there
have been no reported cases of job seekers who died of nervousness during a
job interview. So relax and follow these simple tips for keeping your
anxiety at bay before and during your interview.

Be sure to take the proper amount of time to prepare for your interview.
Being well-prepared will boost your confidence and lower your anxiety.
Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours preparing for each
interview. You should draft answers to the most common interview questions
and practice speaking them out loud. You also should read up on the company
with which you will be interviewing and prepare some questions of your own.
This lets the interviewer know that you are truly interested in the company
and the position.

Going into a job interview is often like entering the great unknown.
Although every interviewer is different and questions vary from industry to
industry, there are some questions that are common across the board. Reading
through the following questions and developing your own answers is a good
place to start in your preparation. Once you have done that, remember
practice makes perfect! Nothing impresses a potential employer like being
ready for whatever is thrown your way.

Why do you want to work here?
This is one tool interviewers use to see if you have done your homework. You
should never attend an interview unless you know about the company, its
direction and the industry in which it plays. If you have done your
research, this question gives you an opportunity to show initiative and
demonstrate how your experience and qualifications match the company's
needs.

Why should we hire you?
Here's the chance to really sell yourself. You need to briefly and
succinctly lay out your strengths, qualifications and what you can bring to
the table. Be careful not to answer this question too generically, however.
Nearly everyone says they are hardworking and motivated. Set yourself apart
by telling the interviewer about qualities that are unique to you.

Tell me about yourself.
While this query seems like a piece of cake, it is difficult to answer
because it is so broad. The important thing to know is that the interviewer
typically does not want to know about your hometown or what you do on the
weekends. He or she is trying to figure you out professionally. Pick a
couple of points about yourself, your professional experience and your
career goals and stick to those points. Wrap up your answer by bringing up
your desire to be a part of the company. If you have a solid response
prepared for this question, it can lead your conversation in a direction
that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications.

Why did you leave your last job?
Even if your last job ended badly, be careful about being negative in
answering this question. Be as diplomatic as possible. If you do point out
negative aspects of your last job, find some positives to mention as well.
Complaining endlessly about your last company will not say much for your
attitude.

What are your greatest weaknesses?
The secret to answering this question is being honest about a weakness, but
demonstrating how you have turned it into a strength. For example, if you
had a problem with organization in the past, demonstrate the steps you took
to more effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the
ability to recognize aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the
initiative to make yourself better.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The secret to this question is being specific and selecting an
accomplishment that relates to the position. Even if your greatest
accomplishment is being on a championship college basketball team, opt for a
more professionally relevant accomplishment. Think of the qualities the
company is looking for and develop an example that demonstrates how you can
meet the company's needs.

Describe a problem situation and how you solved it.
Sometimes it is hard to come up with a response to this request.
Interviewers want to see that you can think critically and develop
solutions, regardless of what kind of issue you faced. This will demonstrate
that you are responsible and can think through situations on your own.

What are your salary expectations?
This is one of the hardest questions. The first thing to do before going to
your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an idea
of what you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics
before receiving a job offer. Let the interviewer know that you will be open
to discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If pressed for a more
specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number.